(a) These Rules shall apply to all vessels upon
the high seas and in all waters connected therewith navigable by seagoing
vessels.
(b) Nothing in these Rules shall interfere with
the operation of special rules made by an appropriate authority for
roadsteads, harbours, rivers, lakes or inland waterways connected
with the high seas and navigable by seagoing vessels. Such special
rules shall conform as closely as possible to these Rules.
(c) Nothing in these Rules shall interfere with
the operation of any special rules made by the Government of any State
with respect to additional station or signal lights, shapes or whistle
signals for ships of war and vessels proceeding under convoy, or with
respect to additional station or signal lights or shapes for fishing
vessels engaged in fishing as a fleet. These additional station or
signal lights, shapes or whistle signals shall, so far as possible,
be such that they cannot be mistaken for any light, shape or signal
authorized elsewhere under these Rules.
(d) Traffic separation schemes may be adopted
by the Organization for the purpose of these Rules.
(e) Whenever the Government concerned shall have
determined that a vessel of special construction or purpose cannot
comply fully with the provisions of any of these Rules with respect
to the number, position, range or arc of visibility of lights or shapes,
as well as to the disposition and characteristics of sound-signalling
appliances, such vessel shall comply with such other provisions in
regard to the number, position, range or arc of visibility of lights
or shapes, as well as to the disposition and characteristics of sound-signalling
appliances, as her Government shall have determined to be the closest
possible compliance with these Rules in respect of that vessel.